OPIRG Carleton Statement on National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

On December 6, OPIRG Carleton recognizes the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. We ask everyone to take a pause, from their work and life to think and remember the women, women identifying, trans and two-spirit folks who have lost their life to violence and the folks who are living and resisting gender-based violence everyday.

Gender-based violence is the most widespread and persistent human rights violation in the world, disproportionately targeting women of colour, Indigenous women and girls, two spirited people, women with disabilities, and LGBTQ people, especially trans women of colour.

We are currently in a time where survivors are coming out with their stories and taking action against violent perpetrators. We applaud these brave individuals. We also acknowledge and remember survivors who cannot or did not speak out, and remember that their stories and experiences are also important - and recognize their courage.

We recognize survivors who cannot speak out but resist the toxic normalization of violence in their daily lives in their own ways.

When speaking about gender-based violence, we also want to specifically remember and acknowledge First Nations, Indigenous and Metis women and two-spirit folks, who face gender-based violence from settlers as well as institutionally from the state. Today, we remember all the women and two-spirit folks who are missing or murdered. Opposing gender-based violence starts with us following in the paths of survivors and the families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-Spirit people.

Below are names of people we remember, however this list is not exhaustive.